Deal or No Deal? Trading Q&A

DEAL OR NO DEAL?

Hey everyone! Fantasy Football is just around the corner and it's time to get prepared. Sorry I have not posted anything in a long time due to being out of the country and not much happening in the NFL. I will start posting more and answering everyone's questions. 

Question: I just received a question from a gentlemen named Scott that is in a DYNASTY LEAGUE that said, "Got a trade question for you! I currently hold the 3, 5, 6 and 13 picks in our rookie draft. I was offered John Brown and 2 top 6 picks for next year for my number 3 pick in this years draft (which will probably be Amari Cooper). My Wide Receivers right now are Cobb, Hopkins and Allen Robinson. Do I make the Deal?

Answer: 

Scott,

Thank you for your question. I like helping people with these type of questions, especially if you are in a Dynasty league where every move you make could make or break your season(s). You have a lot of first round picks in this draft with 3 of them being in the top 6. Your receivers are pretty good, but passing up on Amari if you believe he will be there on the 3rd pick would be crazy. Amari is going to be the guy in a high volume passing offense. He is already getting compared to Antonio Brown. Randall Cobb will be consistent for you, DeAndre Hopkins will be either good or great depending on how well his quarterback performs and Allen Robinson is an average wideout that will either do okay or have a bad week. Your opponent giving you a hit or miss John Brown would also not help you. In this case, DON'T take the trade or you will regret losing out on Amari Cooper due to his upside and him being a rookie with plenty of years to possibly help you win your Dynasty League. Keep Allen Robinson as a backup, but he is not anything more than that.

My draft advice is always CHOOSE THE BEST PLAYER AND NOT BY WHAT POSITION YOU NEED THE MOST. BUILD A STACKED ROSTER AND IT WILL HELP YOUR TEAM WEEK IN AND WEEK OUT AND ALSO FOR TRADES. 

I hope this helped you out so that you can win your league this year. Make sure you ask me any other questions you may have and I would be glad to help. 

Austin Jensen

Fantasy Football Talk

Draft Strategies

DRAFT STRATEGIES

Year in and year out, you have to prepare yourself for your fantasy draft. Each year is different due to trades, free agent pick ups and rookies joining the fun. This year for 2015 is much different than the past few years due to several issues. I am writing this article to help 10 to 16 man leagues draft more efficient in the hopes that you will have a team with depth to get you to the playoffs. Below are different aspects you should look at while drafting.

Position Priority

If you haven't looked at the fantasy football rankings by the provider you use, you might want to. You would realize how one position is short on great players, while another one is stacked with talent. Below is a list in order by priority.

1. Running Back: Running Backs are at an all time low for fantasy owners. In previous years, you could hold off on drafting running backs due to there being 15 to 20 to choose from that would put up points consistently. This year there are only 9 to 10 running backs that are guaranteed to be consistent or not be a 50/50 chance of being a bust. Bad news is that most of these guys will be gone by the mid-second round in most leagues. Running back this year is the most important position to draft due to the scarcity. Draft 1 of these guys or take a risk of having a weak position on your roster.

2. Tight End: A great tight end was hard to find last year. It seemed that tight ends didn't have av consistent season except for a few elite ones. Outside of Graham and Gronk, there are only 4 other tight ends in my opinion that will give you points every week instead of giving you disappointing numbers half the season. Why worry about your tight end if you draft correctly? I believe the tight end position is not a first round draft pick. If you draft a tight end in the first round, get ready to have a rough year. If you draft Gronk or Graham, draft them at the end of the second or further. Draft the positions that you need multiple of first in the early rounds. That being said, even though the position is number 2 on my priority list, DON'T DRAFT IT TOO EARLY!

3. Quarterback: There are a lot of quarterbacks on the market in fantasy football. The reason they are at number 3 on my list is because I am in a 12 man custom league that starts 2 quarterbacks. For all of you that are in the base 1 quarterback leagues, this position can go to 4. Quarterbacks in my league get drafted fast. As you know, this position can give you a ton of points if you draft the elite ones. Be smart of who you draft and when because at quarterback, the Top 3 do the exact same as the next 7 by the end of the season. 

4. Wide Receiver: This is my favorite position and I lean on it every year. Usually, 2 out of my first 3 picks are wide receiver. This year on the other hand, there are so many of them to choose from. I do believe if you want to have the advantage in your league, draft 1 elite one. After that, you should be fine due to the mass selection. 

5. Kicker: Kickers actually give you consistent points if you have the right one on your team. I usually draft my kicker the second to last pick of the draft. I base my pick off the kickers schedule. I recommend going off how many indoor games they will have (The More the Better). Don't make the rookie mistake of looking at your roster during your draft and try to fill empty starting slots instead of filling up your bench with studs. Be smart, it's just a kicker. There are more than enough to rotate throughout the season depending on their match-ups.

6. Defense: Defense is the last thing you need to think about. I love when the people in my league draft a Defense in the middle of the draft. Why the heck would you do that? It helps your opponents stack their bench and have an advantage in the long run. You draft a defense early, you end up losing games later in the season. 

Even  though these are my rankings by priority, you have to make adjustments during your draft. This is actually the most important step in drafting a championship team. Depending on what spot you are drafting in, you need to see what positions are being drafted and keep a tally. This will help you adjust your pick to see which position is a higher priority at that time. Warning: If you make this adjustment and that position is not the best choice at that given time, don't draft it because that will make your team a bit more weak.

Last, always try to get a quarterback and wide receiver combo. This will give you an advantage when they are both getting touchdowns. It makes your opponents hate playing you and that is what you want. 

All this being said, make sure you do your studying before your draft. I always recommend a custom league like I have in Yahoo Fantasy Football (Post can be read in an earlier blog) so that it is more difficult and challenging for everyone. The number 1 draft rule is, DON'T OVER DRAFT A PLAYER!

I hope you all enjoyed this section and if you have questions or comments, email me at ffltalk@gmail.com and follow me on TWITTER @ffltalk

CHEERS!

Top Kickers to Draft

I never thought I would publish a pre-season kickers list until yesterday. Throughout my fantasy football career I have never drafted a kicker due to how many there are compared to teams in your league. I would pick up and drop kickers week in and week out depending on their match-up. Now that the NFL has made an extra point a 33 yard attempt instead of 20, drafting a consistent kicker is needed so that you don't miss out on free points, especially in cold windy conditions. Below is my personal list of the top 12 kickers in the NFL that you should have on your team. Sit back, read and learn. 

Top 12 Kickers to Draft

1. Adam Vinatieri (Colts): Vinatieri has been one of the most consistent kickers since entering the NFL in 1996. His career kicking percentage is 83.7 percent and it seems that he gets better and better every year. Vinatieri is known for kicking the game winner in the Super Bowl for the New England Patriots. He dominated this position playing in harsh winter weather in New England and now plays for the Colts. I have him at number one due to his consistency and playing inside a closed stadium for 9 out of 16 games. Look for Vinatieri to not be affected by the new extra point rule and get plenty of opportunities due to the Colts high power offense. 

2. Steven Hauschka (Seahawks): Hauschka plays for one of the best offenses in the league. This team not only is consistent at getting the ball down the field, but they get the ball back quick due to their dominant defense. Hauschka has been extremely consistent since he entered the NFL and has kicked for 85.4 percent in his career. Despite playing in an outdoor stadium, he has impressed us time after time. With Jimmy Graham joining this team, look for Hauschka to get more kicks this year than he has throughout his career.

3. Matt Prater (Lions): Prater has the best leg in the league when it comes to depth. 2 seasons ago with the Broncos, Prater tied the NFL longest field goal made at 63 yards. That same season he kicked for 96.2 percent, which is the best I have seen. He has plenty left in the tank after that and is now playing for the Lions. I like Prater due to him playing under a closed roof at home and 11 out of 16 games this season.

4. Mason Crosby (Packers): Why not Crosby? He has Aaron Rodgers on his side. The packers are one of the most consistent offenses in the league and get the ball down field better than most teams. With his career percentage being at 79.1, I see him hitting around 82 percent of his kicks, but getting more opportunities than most kickers will this season. 

5. Connor Barth (Broncos): Connor Barth has kicked for 85.3 percent in his career and over 90 percent 2 out of the past 3 seasons. You don't see a kicker kick over 90 percent that often and doing it 2 out of 3 seasons is insane. I don't care if he is playing inside or out, he is a must draft this season. The reason he is at number 5 is because I don't think Denver will move the ball as well as they did in the past. If you want someone that will make 90 plus percent of his attempts, grab Barth. 

Just Outside the Top 5

6. Dan Bailey (Cowboys)

7. Matt Bryant (Falcons)

8. Shaun Suisham (Steelers)

The Rest

9. Stephen Gostkowski (Patriots)

10. Cody Parkey (Eagles)

11. Justin Tucker (Ravens)

12. Randy Bullock (Texans)

I hope this list opens your eyes and helps your research. Remember, don't ever draft a kicker too early or it will haunt your bench depth. 

Email me at ffltalk@gmail.com if you have any questions or comments and follow me on twitter @ffltalk 

NFL Top 20 2015 Tight End Pre-Season Rankings

I have already given you quarterbacks, wide receivers and running backs and now I have had a request to do tight ends. Tight ends are a little more difficult due to how rare elite ones are. Unlike every other position I have talked about, there are not as many tight ends that are consistent. This makes it hard to come up with the top 20 for this upcoming year, but I'm up for the challenge.

Remember, some of these rankings will probably get moved around the closer we get to week 1. Sit back, read and enjoy the information and predictions that are coming your way.

Top 20 2015 Pre-Season Tight End Rankings

1. Jimmy Graham (Seahawks): Jimmy Graham is the most dominant tight end in the NFL and everyone was shocked to see him being traded to the Seahawks from the Saints. Yes, he did have an off year, but so do most players in the NFL. Graham might not have Drew Brees anymore, but he has an elite quarterback in Russell Wilson and a running game in Marshawn Lynch. Having another elite quarterback and finally having a great running back on his side of the field, you will see Graham make catch after catch and dominate the red zone. Graham should have around 1,000 yards receiving with 12 touchdowns. 

2. Rob Gronkowski (Patriots): GRONK! He has been one of the best ever since Tom Brady discovered him. After fighting several injuries, Gronkowski is back to his normal dominant self. He is and will remain Tom Brady's number 1 target. The only question I have is, how will he produce without Brady under center the first 4 games? If you are a fantasy player and you see him struggling the first 2 weeks, trade for him because he will blow up when Brady returns. Gronk should end the season with 1,050 yards receiving and 10 touchdowns. 

3. Eric Ebron (Lions): Say what? Yep this is my bold predictions at this position. He might have struggled his rookie season, but Ebron has not yet hit his peak. With one year under his belt, you should see him become Stafford's 2nd or 3rd target every down. Look for Ebron to have 925 receiving yards and 8 touchdowns.

4. Martellus Bennett (Bears): Where did Martellus come from last year? He was the only offensive player that was consistent last season. He had the best season he has had since he joined the NFL. Having that performance with the Bears offense being awful, he should at worst repeat his numbers last year. I predict that the Bears offense will be more efficient and Bennett will have 850 yards receiving with 10 Touchdowns.

5. Delanie Walker (Titans): Delanie Walker had a great season last year and now he has a much better quarterback this year. Look for Walker, if he can stay healthy, to have a great season and be a big red zone target for the rookie. Delanie Walker should have 750 receiving yards and 7 touchdowns to tag along with that. 

6. Antonio Gates (Chargers): I am not the biggest fan of Gates due to him making me lose in my Fantasy Final last year on his Thursday night 3 touchdown performance. Putting that aside, he is Philip Rivers number one target everywhere on the field. The only downside to him is his age and his consistency. It seems he has 3 great games and 2 bad or okay games. Look for Gates to have 775 yards receiving and 8 Touchdowns if he plays a full role in the offense. 

7. Jordan Cameron (Dolphins): Cameron was a top 5 tight end just 2 seasons ago in Cleveland when he recorded over 900 yards receiving and 7 touchdowns. Now with Miami, he should go back to his dominant self. I see Cameron surprising owners with 800 yards receiving and getting in the end zone 8 times. 

8. Zach Ertz (Eagles): If Ertz can stay healthy all season, he should have a great year with the Eagles. Had over 700 yards receiving with only 3 Touchdowns last season. I see him matching those yards and putting up 7 touchdowns this season with Bradford under center.

9. Julius Thomas (Jaguars): Thomas is no longer a Bronco. He could be the biggest bust on this list for two reasons. First, can he ever stay healthy? He seems to always be hurt and tight end is a physical position. Second, can he put up the same numbers he did without Peyton Manning? I think he can put up decent numbers but is a high risk/high reward draft pick. I see Thomas, if healthy, getting 750 yards receiving and adding 5 touchdowns.

10. Travis Kelce (Chiefs): Kelce has a big upside in Fantasy this year. He had 862 yards receiving last year and added 5 touchdowns. He had all that and was fighting injuries. If Kelce is healthy all season I see him getting 800 yards receiving with 6 touchdowns.

Just Outside the Top 10

11. Greg Olsen (Panthers)

12. Larry Donnell (Giants)

13. Jason Witten (Cowboys)

14. Jordan Reed (Redskins)

15. Owen Daniels (Ravens)

The Rest

16. Dwayne Allen (Colts)

17. Mychal Rivera (Raiders)

18. Josh Hill (Saints)

19. Kyle Rudolph (Vikings)

20. Vernon Davis (49ers)

I hope everyone enjoyed this post. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to email me at ffltalk@gmail.com.

MAKE SURE TO ADD ME ON TWITTER @ffltalk

Cheers!

BEST CUSTOM FANTASY FOOTBALL LEAGUE

BEST CUSTOM FANTASY FOOTBALL LEAGUE SETUP

Playing Fantasy Football becomes addicting really fast. I always hear how people won their league and I always ask what kind of league are they in. 99% of the answers I get are "The Yahoo/NFL/CBS/NFL base league with the base point systems and rules." The base leagues are okay, but you as a league player can make the experience better through customizing your league to make every position equal and also more challenging so that your league is always on the edge of their seats everyday of the week. 

I play Yahoo Fantasy Football due to how simple they have it set up. I have played all the others as well and still like Yahoo the best. I don't like any leagues except for 12 man leagues. Having less makes it where you just have to be lucky and takes the challenge out due to everyone's roster being completely stacked with studs. Having more than 12 teams makes the league pretty boring and your bench players are awful. 

Below is what I recommend for a 12 man league and after you go through my Yahoo settings, I will tell you what makes these settings the best for anyone to use. 

My Yahoo League Settings/ Point Setup

Roster Spots:

QB

QB

WR

WR

RB

RB

TE

W/R/T
K
DEF
BENCH
BENCH
BENCH
BENCH
BENCH
BENCH
BENCH
BENCH

Maximum teams in league: 12

Type of scoring: Head-to-Head

Start League scoring in: Week 1

Can’t Cut list provider: Yahoo Sports

Maximum Player acquisitions for entire season: No maximum

Maximum trades for entire season: No maximum

Time manager have to protest trades: 1 day

Last date to trade player: Up to you

Allow draft pick trades: No

Trades Reviewed by: Votes (all league managers)

Time players are on waivers: No waivers

Determine waiver priority by: Continual rolling list

Waiver Rule: None

Live Draft Pick Time: 2 Minutes

After draft, make all unowned players: Free Agents

Make League Publicly Viewable: No

Invite Permissions: Commissioner Only

ONLY APPLY IN HEAD-TO-HEAD LEAGUES

Playoff Weeks: Week 14,15 and 16 (6 teams)

Playoff Tie-Breaker: Best regular season record vs opponent wins

Playoff Reseeding: No

Lock Eliminated Teams: No

Maximum player acquisitions per week: No maximum

Divisions: No

League Pickem Game: No

SCORING SETTINGS

Passing

Passing Touchdowns: 6 Points

Interceptions: -2 Points

Sacks: -.5 Points

Passing Yards: 25 Yards = 1 point

Pick Sixes Thrown: -4 Points

Rushing

Rushing Touchdowns: 6 Points

Rushing Yards: 10 Yards =  1 point

Receiving

Reception Touchdowns: 6 Points

Receptions: .25 Points

Reception Yards: 10 Yards = 1 Point

Kick & Punt Returning

Return Touchdowns: 6 Points

Miscellaneous

2-Point Conversions: 2 Points

Fumbles Lost: -2 Points

Offensive Fumble Return TD: 6 Points

Kickers

Field Goal 0-19 Yards: 3 Points

Field Goal 20-29 Yards: 3 Points

Field Goal 30-39 Yards: 4 Points

Field Goal 40-49 Yards: 5 Points

Field Goal 50+ Yards: 6 Points

Point After Attempt Made: 1 Point

Point After Attempt Missed: -1 Point

Defense/Special Teams

Points Allowed 0 points: 10 Points

Points Allowed 1-6 points: 7 Points

Points Allowed 7-13 points: 4 Points

Points Allowed 14-20 points: 2 Points

Points Allowed 21-27 points: 0 Points

Points Allowed 28-34 points: -1 Points

Points Allowed 35+ points: -4 Points

Sack: 1 point

Interception: 2 Points

Fumble Recovery: 2 Points

Touchdown: 6 Points

Safety: 2 Points

Block Kick: 2 Points

Kickoff and Punt Return Touchdowns: 6 Points

4^th Down Stops: 1 Point

Bonus Offense

Passing

Passing Yards (Bonus 1): 300 Yards = 6 Points

Passing Yards (Bonus 2): 400 Yards = 8 Points

Passing Yards (Bonus 3): 500 Yards = 10 Points

Rushing

Rushing Yards (Bonus 1): 100 Yards = 6 Points

Rushing Yards (Bonus 2): 150 Yards = 8 Points

Rushing Yards (Bonus 3): 200 Yards = 10 Points

Receiving

Reception Yards (Bonus 1): 100 Yards = 6 Points

Reception Yards (Bonus 2): 150 Yards = 8 Points

Reception Yards (Bonus 3): 200 Yards = 10 Points

Scoring Options

Fractional Points: Yes

Negative Points: Yes

Explanation:

This system is the best for multiple reasons:

1. 12 Total Teams
2. Since there are 12 teams and each have to start 2 quarterbacks, it makes things interesting due to everyone not able to have a bye week quarterback, which makes the draft intense for the position
3. NO WAIVERS! Why do leagues like to be socialist where the worst player at the time gets a player in free agency that everyone wants just because they are awful? First come, first serve in America. This makes each player have to keep up with news around the league and act fast on Sundays when injuries occur or a player blows up out of no where. No waivers are great when your league is full of champions instead of complainers. 
4. Head-to-Head match-ups with no divisions makes the league equal and competitive
5. All the bonus points make every position equal. Why make one position better than the other? Equal it out and let's play. 
6. NO PPR leagues. Waste of time and each catch should only be worth .25 points. Earn your points through yardage and touchdowns. 

These are only 6 reasons why this is the best format. There are many more and you can guess them by looking at the information provided and email me at ffltalk@gmail.com.

Let me know if you have any questions or comments

Cheers!

Top 5 NFL Teams

Top 5 NFL Teams

Yesterday I received an email asking me to pick who I believe the top 5 NFL teams are going to be this year. Without seeing pre-season games and how new players will make an impact for each team, it is hard to get this right, but I will give it a shot. Sit back, read and lets come back to this at the end of the season to see how many I got right.

Top 5 2015 NFL Teams

1. Seattle Seahawks: The Seahawks have made it to the Super Bowl 2 years in a row. Their defense is dominant, fast and consistent. This team knows how to fight the entire game. Lets not forget to mention their start quarterback Russell Wilson, who will be even better this year due to not only having Marshawn Lynch in his backfield, but getting the best tight end in football from the Saints (Jimmy Graham). Look for Seattle to win 10 games minimal and for Russell Wilson to have a career year. 

2. Indianapolis Colts: This will be the most powerful offense in football. They made it to the AFC championship game last year and have added more stars to their offense. They picked up Frank Gore at running back from the 49ers who will finally give them a consistent running attack, Andre Johnson from my Houston Texans who still has gas left in the tank (he will thrive this year to prove a point) and also drafted another young wide receiver in the first round, Phillip Dorsett. Think that sounds great already? Lets not forget about T.Y. Hilton. Even if their defense doesn't show up, the Colts will put up 30 plus points in most of their games. Get ready to see domination.

3. Green Bay Packers: Can you say Aaron Rodgers. He is last years MVP, has Eddie Lacy in his backfield, Randall Cobb back again and Jordy Nelson. This offense, like the Colts, will be hard to stop. The only thing that can stop this team is bad coaching (NFC Championship game VS. Seahawks). You will see the Packers win their division and keep fighting for a spot in the big game. 

4. New York Giants: Say what? Yep this is a bold prediction. I believe it's comeback time for Eli Manning and the Giants. They have won two super bowls with Eli under center and now he has more weapons than ever before. Every time you think the Giants are out, they show right back up to prove you wrong. Watch them win their division and kick the Cowboys out of the playoffs. Watch out Tom Brady, if Eli is in the playoffs, you better hope he doesn't meet you in the Super Bowl. 

5. Detroit Lions: The Lions made it to the playoffs despite Calvin Johnson being hurt for most of the season. If Detroit can make it that far without their biggest play maker, look for them to improve this year and make a big playoff run. Losing Suh isn't going to ruin their record or stop them from making it to the playoffs. With Calvin Johnson, Golden Tate and Eric Ebron, the Lions offense should outscore most of their opponents. 

That is my top 5 teams for this upcoming season. We will have to see how they do. If you have any other questions regarding the NFL or Fantasy Football, email me at ffltalk365@gmail.com

Cheers!

Who do I draft first?

Dez Bryant or Odell Beckham Jr?

First off, I would like to thank everyone that has been reading my page and hopefully using it to better their knowledge. I am getting a lot of feedback from some of you and also some questions to answer, which is why I made my page in the first place.

I got an email yesterday from a gentleman named Mike wondering who he should draft and why if Dez Bryant and Odell Beckham Jr. are still available? This one is a hard decision, but I didn't have to think about it too long in order to realize who the front runner was.

Odell Beckham Jr., in my opinion is the front runner. In my top 25 wide receiver post earlier this week (you can still view it on my page), Beckahm Jr. was my number 1 rated wide receiver to draft in fantasy. Dez Bryant  is a touchdown machine in Dallas. He is Tony Romo's number 1 target and with the running game being dominant, it leaves Dez open after play action. Dez was rated number 4 on my list to draft and below is are what I like and dislike about both players.



Odell Beckham Jr.

Positives

• Has the best set of hands in the NFL and proved that with the 2 fingered catch vs. Dallas
• He is young, has a fresh set of legs and dominated the league as a rookie
• Has a 2 time Super Bowl Champion throwing him the ball
• Extremely Quick and can get open short or deep

Negatives

• Has Victor Cruz coming back this season and he might take some catches away this season
• Was his rookie season a fluke? Can he repeat it or do better?
• Can he stay healthy all season?

Dez Bryant

Positives

• Big Bodied receiver that goes up to grab anything thrown his way
• Extremely competitive and strives to be the best
• Had more receiving touchdowns than any other wide receiver last year

Negatives

• If the Cowboys can't get their running attack going this year, will Tony Romo choke as usual and not get Dez the ball?
• Will Dez get frustrated and argue with his teammates if the Cowboys start losing?

All that being said, I believe Beckham has more of a fantasy upside. He works hard, can catch almost anything thrown near him and we haven't seen what he can do in a full 16 game season. Dez to me is high risk/high reward in fantasy football. He can be great for 2 games and average for the next 2. Fantasy football is all about being consistent week in and week out. You want your first round draft picks to be consistent and if they are not, they usually make the owner lose more often then not due to their lack of performance.  All I can say is, Calvin Johnson, watch out because Odell is coming for your receiving yard record.


Hope this helped you out Mike. Make a judgement call and do what you think is best.

Cheers

If you want to ask questions or have comments, email ffltalk@gmail.com

Pre-Season Fantasy Football Top 20 Running Backs

In the past 2 days I have given you the top quarterbacks and wide receivers to draft as of right now. All of these lists will change here and there as the regular season approaches.

Here are  my top 20 running backs as of today. Running backs are, to me, the least important position out of the three I have now written about, but is the most important position to do your research on due to the lack of consistency from the position in fantasy. Sit back, read and enjoy. 

Pre-Season Top 20 Running Backs

1. Adrian Peterson (Vikings): Why am I going against the professionals and putting Peterson at number 1? Adrian Peterson is unstoppable. His whole career he has been at the top and after only playing 1 game in 2014, he has fresh legs that will take off this year. Look for Peterson to have another big year, as he has something to prove due to his suspension and age. Watch out critics, Peterson is ready for takeoff. 

2. Jamaal Charles (Chiefs): Jamaal Charles has been great to watch since he was in high school and I had the pleasure of watching him play against my high school. He has great field vision and the speed to make big plays. Over the past 3 seasons in the NFL, Charles has averaged at least 5 yards per carry. Jamaal Charles gives fantasy owners consistency and the Chiefs will always feed him the ball on the ground and through the air. Look for Charles to rush for 1,100 yards and about 13 Touchdowns. 

3. Marshawn Lynch (Seahawks): Beast Mode!!!! Why is Russell Wilson dominant? Probably because every defense has to worry about Marshawn Lynch. If you key on Russell, Lynch will go beast mode all over your defense. Lynch had over 1,300 yards last year with 13 touchdowns. Look for him to repeat this performance. The only thing I worry about is Jimmy Graham taking away his red zone touchdowns. Lynch is a for sure first round draft pick. 

4. LeSean McCoy (Bills): He's back, but with a better team. Since the Eagles hired Chip Kelly, his offense isn't a good fit for a great running back. Look for Rex Ryan to lean on McCoy all season just like the Eagles did in the past. McCoy should rush for 1,100 yards and 9 touchdown this season. Draft McCoy, but not too early. 

5. Eddie Lacy (Packers): Lacy started off last season on a slow pace, but picked it up and rushed for over 1,000 yards and 9 touchdowns. Lacy should start this season right where he left off. Lacy is at number 5 on my list due to the dominant passing attack the Packers have with Aaron Rodgers. I see Lacy getting 1,200 Yards and 8 touchdowns.

6. Arian Foster (Texans): Mr. Foster has been an elite running back in the NFL since he won over a starting job in Houston. No one else in the league runs quite like he does. Foster is patient and waits for a whole to open up and then explodes into the secondary. Foster is at number 6 only because he can never stay healthy. Foster plays for my Houston Texans, so I hope he can play all 16 games and produce like he did in 2012. Despite him missing 3 games last year, he still rushed for over 1,200 yards and had 13 total touchdowns. Look for Foster to tear it up if he is healthy and get 1,350 yards with 15 total touchdowns. He is a steal in the third round and is a deep second round option. 

7. Le'Veon Bell (Steelers): Le'Veon Bell, you are such a disappointment to me this year. You were my number 1 overall running back, but due to not following rules, you got suspended for the first 3 games. Some people need a first round pick the first 3 weeks of the season. Putting that aside, He is the most talented running back in the NFL. He can pound it out on the ground or catch the ball and take it to the house. Bell is the ultimate package in the Steelers offense. Having Antonio Brown and Bell makes their offense explosive. Grab Bell in the 2nd round and he won't disappoint you. 

8. Jeremy Hill (Bengals): Where did Jeremy Hill come from last year? Everyone though Bernard was the man for the Bengals and all of the sudden they have a new star. Hill rushed for over 1,100 yards (5.1 yards per carry) and 9 touchdowns as a rookie. Look for Hill to do the same this year except be more dominant in the red zone. He should put up 13 Touchdowns since A.J. Green is healthy and will get the Bengals into the red zone more often. 

9. Matt Forte (Bears): Forte has been great in the running and passing game. Jay Cutler loves to dump the ball off to him and if Forte is successful on the ground attack, Cutler feels less pressure. Last season, the whole Chicago team had trouble moving the ball. It seems the only person that did decent was their tight end Bennett. Look for Matt Forte to bounce back with 1,150 yards with 10 total touchdowns. 

10. Frank Gore (Colts): FRANK THE TANK! Frank Gore plays in the shadows compared to other elite quarterbacks. He doesn't get the credit he deserves year after year. He has rushed for over 1,000 yards 8 of the past 9 seasons. With Luck taking pressure off the running game and putting defenses on their heals, look for Gore to rush for over 1,000 yards once again with 10 touchdowns.

Just Outside the Top 10

11. C.J. Anderson (Broncos): C.J. Anderson came out of nowhere last season in Denver. Once 2 injuries occurred in Denver's backfield, Anderson was called into action. He rushed for nearly 900 yards and had 8 touchdowns with minimal starts under his belt. Look for C.J. Anderson to keep his starting role, but split time in the backfield. I see him rushing for 1,100 yards in Kubiak's new run heavy offense and stealing 9 touchdowns from Manning and the pass attack. 

12. Darren McFadden (Cowboys): McFadden could be the biggest steal in your fantasy draft or a bust as always. If McFadden can stay healthy this year, he could take home the rushing title behind the best offensive line in the NFL. With help from the big men up front, McFadden in my opinion should stay healthy and he will have a career year. Look for McFadden to either get 500 yards with 3 touchdowns due to being injured or break out for 1,400 yards and tack on 14 touchdowns if healthy all season. 

13. Todd Gurley (Rams): Todd Gurley was a beast in college and was the top running back taken in this years draft even though he suffered an injury at the end of last season. Look for Gurley to have a great rookie season with around 900 yards rushing and 7 touchdowns. The only problem I have with him at this time is when will his debut occur? Week 1 or later? Only time will show. Gurley is a great late draft pick for owners but could hurt you depending on when he comes back and is at 100 percent injury wise and condition wise as well. 

14. DeMarco Murray (Eagles): Murray is coming off his best season yet and won the rushing title last year in Dallas. Even though he did so well and dominated everyone and everything in his way, I give more credit to the Cowboys offensive line than him. I also think he will suffer in Chip Kelly's offense, which in my opinion, isn't running back friendly. Murray is a huge risk due to his injury history and being in an offense where dominant LeSean McCoy couldn't get things going. Be careful drafting Murray early. Wait for a late round if you do or you will most likely regret that pick.

The Rest of the Bunch

15. Mark Ingram (Saints)

16. Alfred Morris (Redskins)

17. Justin Forsett (Ravens)

18. Melvin Gordon (Chargers)

19. Carlos Hyde (49ers)

20. Latavius Murray (Raiders)

I hope you enjoyed my running back ratings as of today and if you have any questions or would like me to write about something, email me at ffltalk@gmail.com

Cheers!

Fantasy Football Top 25 Wide Receiver Pre-Season Rankings

So I just posted the top 30 quarterbacks yesterday and now it is time for wide receivers. In my opinion, wide receivers in fantasy football are the most important because most people have to at least start 2 and can also use one in their flex position on the roster. You have to time when to pick a wide receiver right or you could end up with a lot of problems this season.

Listed below is the top 25 Wide Receivers to draft in fantasy this year as of today's date. Enjoy!

Top 25 Wide Receivers: Pre-Season Rankings

1. Odell Beckham Jr. (Giants): I don't think anyone can argue against ranking Beckham Jr. at number 1. He is by far the most athletic player in the NFL. What he did his rookie year was the best I have ever seen. This guy can catch anything you throw at him, even with only 2 fingers. Beckham Jr. only played 12 games and had over 1,300 hundred yards receiving with 12 touchdowns. With Victor Cruz coming back, the Giants have 2 top receivers that can bring the Giants back to the Playoffs. Odell Beckham Jr. is a must draft if he is still there at your pick. 

2. Antonio Brown (Steelers): Antonio Brown not only is a top receiver, but also kicks punters in the face on punt returns. Brown is like Beckham when it comes to being athletic. With Big Ben throwing him the ball, he will be an elite wide out that will help you hit your 100 yard bonuses. I predict that Antonio Brown will lead the league in receiving yards this season with over 1,700. If teams concentrate on Brown too much, they will find themselves in trouble with the uprising Martavis Bryant. Brown must be on your radar as a wide receiver number 1 due to the yardage and touchdowns he will provide your team on it's way to victory. 

3. Calvin Johnson (Lions): Many of you will look at this and say really? I will respond with YES! Calvin Johnson had one off season last year due to injuries. When Megatron is at 100 percent, no one can stop him. He will catch anything thrown his direction and is the king or deep balls. Look for Calvin to look like he did when he broke the NFL record for receiving yards in a single season again. Ignore the ratings your so called professionals give you, Calvin is a for sure Number 3 ranking that will give you yardage and touchdowns on a consistent basis. 

4. Dez Bryant (Cowboys): Dez is a touchdown machine. Even though the Cowboys ran the ball extremely well, Tony Romo and Dez Bryant seemed to work their magic still. Bryant had over 1,300 yards and 16 touchdowns last season. Look for him to have a similar year if not better and lock him down as a first round draft pick. 

5. Julio Jones (Falcons): Who? Julio Jones! Jones has been an impact player since day one in the NFL. He does it all for the Falcons by going short or using his speed to beat defenders for the deep ball and a touchdown. Even though the Falcons have a new coaching staff, look for Matt Ryan and Julio Jones to continue to impress the world. Jones is a great second round pick if he is still available in 12 man leagues or larger. 

6. Jordy Nelson (Packers): Jordy Nelson ahead of Demaryius Thomas? Yes! Nelson is on one of the most powerful pass attacks in the game. With Aaron Rodgers under center, Nelson already starts off with an advantage. Since Randall Cobb decided to come back to the Packers, Nelson is for sure a great pick due to defenses having to take care of both wide receivers. Good luck to whoever has to play them. Lock down Nelson in the late second or beginning of the third round depending on how others in your league are drafting. He won't let you down. 

7. Demaryius Thomas (Broncos): Thomas was a beast last year after the Broncos bye week. He didn't disappoint fantasy owners until the last few weeks, due to Peyton Manning's performance. Thomas is outside my top 5 due to not knowing how long Peyton can last and also due to his injury history. Lock up Demaryius if you want Manning's number one target. 

8. A.J. Green (Bengals) : A.J. Green has been unstoppable since he has entered the NFL. Even with Mr. Awful Andy Dalton throwing him the ball, A.J. Green will be one of the best this year. Green suffered injuries last year that made him fall in this years rankings. I don't get the so called fantasy experts and how they can drop Calvin Johnson and A.J. Green just because of injuries. He is at 100 percent and ready to dominate anyone that tries to cover him. 

9. Alshon Jeffery (Bears): Jeffery is now the number one receiver for the Bears since Brandon Marshall has departed to the Jets. Jeffery is a major deep threat and loves to fight defenders for the ball. Lock down Jeffery and you will see Cutler throw to him every red zone trip. 

10. Kelvin Benjamin (Panthers): Kelvin Benjamin dominated his rookie campaign with over 1,000 yards receiving and 9 touchdowns. With Cam Newton all healed up for this season, look for Kelvin to improve his numbers a little bit. He's a big target with a lot of potential. 

Just Outside the Top 10

The next 2 players were really close to being in the top 10 in my mind, but the order I have them in is the way I would draft them. I based it off my predictions on overall points they will get and consistency. 

11. DeAndre Hopkins (Texans): Just outside the top 10 due to Houston's quarterback situation. Not sure how consistent Mallet or Hoyer will do and if Arian Foster doesn't stay healthy, the passing game could suffer even more. Hopkins is indeed worthy of a wide receiver number 2 role on your fantasy team unless your league takes everyone else early, he could be a border line number 1. 

12. Sammy Watkins (Bills): Watkins had a great rookie campaign with the Bills, even though the quarterback situation wasn't the greatest. Now that the Bills have traded for LeSean McCoy, the passing game should be better than the past and Watkins will probably his 1,200 yards with 10 touchdowns this season. 

The Rest

13. Brandon Marshall (Jets)

14. Martavis Bryant (Steelers)

15. Randall Cobb (Packers)

16. Mike Evans (Buccaneers)

17. Emmanuel Sanders (Broncos)

18. Andre Johnson (Colts)

19. Golden Tate (Lions)

20. Amari Cooper (Raiders)

21. DeSean Jackson (Redskins)

22. Jordan Matthews (Eagles)

23. Brandin Cooks (Saints)

24. Julian Edelman (Patriots)

25. Keenan Allen (Chargers)

I hope all of you find this helpful and tune in tomorrow to see my pre-season running back rankings.

If you have any questions or want me to write about anything, email me at ffltalk@gmail.com

Cheers!

Pre-Season Top 30 Quarterbacks

Post-Draft Quarterback Rankings

Following the 2015 NFL draft, it is officially time to start planning ahead for the upcoming fantasy football season. I play on Yahoo and they already have mock drafts available, which can help you get to know where each individual player is getting drafted. 

Now since the teams are getting prepared to make their rosters and get ready for Pre-Season, below is a list of my personal quarterback rankings and why. ENJOY! 

2015 Top 30 Quarterback Rankings as of May 11th, 2015

1. Andrew Luck (Colts): Why not Luck? He passed for 4,761 yards and 40 touchdowns (which was the most in the league. Andrew Luck and the Colts will be even better this season due to a better running attack with the addition of Frank Gore, which has rushed for over 1,000 yards in the past 8 out of 9 seasons. The Colts have also added ex-Texan Andre Johnson and Rookie Phillip Dorsett to join T.Y. Hilton. Andrew Luck will not only match his passing yards this year, but will throw for more touchdowns. Watch out Peyton Manning, Andrew Luck is coming for your Touchdown Record. 
2. Aaron Rodgers (Packers): Have you ever doubted Rodgers? Aaron Rodgers has been the most consistent quarterback in fantasy football for the past 7 years, except when he was injured a few years back. He has consistently thrown around 30 touchdowns or more and for 4,000 yards. If you want consistency on your team, draft Aaron Rodgers. 
3. Russel Wilson (Seahawks): You thought he was great last year? You haven't seen anything yet.  Not only does he have Marshawn Lynch to take pressure of of him but the Seahawks added Jimmy Graham from the Saints. With a new big red zone target, Wilson will likely throw 5 to 10 more touchdowns than last year. Russel Wilson is a great draft pick to match up with Jimmy Graham if you can draft both. 
4. Peyton Manning (Broncos): Manning is back once again, but this time with a new coaching staff. With Gary Kubiak being a more conservative play caller, will Manning and the Broncos see similar passing yardage and touchdowns as in the past? I think so, even though they will run more. Peyton Manning is the ultimate play caller with a great receivers around him  that can change things up at the line and has never disappointed fantasy owners since he has been in the league. 
5. Matt Ryan (Falcons): Can you say air time? Matt Ryan's worst year passing yard wise has been 4,177 yards in the past 4 years. Ryan and the Falcons like to air the ball out due to having one of the most dynamic Wide Receivers in the game in Julio Jones. Even with new coaches, I don't see anything changing anytime soon with their offense. Lock down Matt Ryan to get your 300 yard bonuses. 
6. Drew Brees (Saints): Can Brees still put up the numbers without Jimmy Graham? I think so due to him passing for over 4,000 yards that past 9 seasons and 3 of those being over 5,000 yards. Drew Brees is like the energizer bunny and will just keep going and going. The Saints will come into the 2015 Season looking a little different in my opinion by running the ball more often. That will open things up for Brees. Draft Brees and watch him get his 10th straight season over 4,000 yards. 
7. Ben Roethlisberger (Steelers): Big Ben puts up big numbers. The first 3 games this season he will be passing more than usual due to Le'Veon Bell being suspended . When he returns, Roethlisberger will continue his dominance by throwing the ball to elite wide receiver Antonio Brown and the giant 6'04" Martavis Bryant. You will see Big Ben have his bad games, but put up the numbers needed for you to win. 
8. Eli Manning (Giants): ELI!!! Manning is the biggest steal in the draft quarterback wise in my opinion. He has the most talented wide receiver in the NFL in Odell Beckham Jr. and also has Victor Cruz coming back from his season ending injury he suffered last season. Eli Manning and the Giants will only get better and you will see him look like he did when he beat Tom Brady in 2 Super Bowls.  
9. Matthew Stafford (Lions): Can you say Calvin Johnson! Having the almighty Megatron back at 100 percent will only make Stafford dominant. Last season Stafford threw for 4,257 Yards and 22 touchdowns with Golden Tate being his number one receiver most of the season. With Johnson and Tate both on the field, the Lions will throw at will. 
10. Tony Romo (Cowboys): I didn't originally have Romo in my top 10 until the NFL revealed Tom Brady was suspended for the first 4 games. That being said, Tony Romo has the best offensive line in the NFL that will give him time to throw down field. That line will also help the running game, which will take pressure off him as well. Romo and Dez Bryant will once again see the end zone 20 plus times together and be known as the ultimate duo. 

Just Outside the Top 10

11. Tom Brady (Patriots): I had him at number 9 until his suspension. He is a great draft pick if you have a 2 quarterback league. Make sure you do not over draft him due to his name. 

12. Philip Rivers (Chargers): Does Rivers really want to be in San Diego? I don't think so. I believe Rivers will be great, but fall apart half the season. Rivers is outside my top ten this year due to his collapse last year and the drama that has happened off the field this spring. 

13. Ryan Tannehill (Dolphins): What can I really say? I mean Tannehill passed for over 4,000 yards for the first time in his career and 27 touchdowns last season. With the Dolphins adding rookie wide receiver DeVante Parker, ex-Saint Kenny Still and tight end Jordan Cameron, Tannehill is ready to have his biggest season yet. Grab him, but not too early.  

The Rest

14. Cam Newton

15. Joe Flacco
16. Sam Bradford

17. Robert Griffin III

18. Jameis Winston

19. Carson Palmer

20. Nick Foles

21. Jay Cutler

22. Marcus Mariota

23. Derek Carr

24. Ryan Fitzpatrick

25. Colin Kaepernick

26. Alex Smith

27. Ryan Mallet

28. Josh McCown

29. Teddy Bridgewater

30. Andy Dalton


Come back tomorrow to check out the Pre-Season Top 25 Wide Receivers

Have any questions? Email ffltalk@gmail.com

Fantasy Football 2015

Greetings Everyone,

It is getting close to that time to follow the NFL with Free Agency opening in less than a week away and the draft around the corner. This is the best time for all fantasy players to get involved with who is going where and evaluate how each player will do with their new team.

I created this blog to help others make the best choices in their draft, trades and lineups. I look forward in feeding anyone and everyone with great advice.

For all questions, feel free to email ffltalk@gmail.com

Austin